About Us

Mineshaft was started by Peter Blythe in 1978. Peter has had a passion for gemstones all his life. Both his grandfather and uncles were involved in mining and one of his uncles chased black opal at Lightning Ridge.

Most of the opal on display on this site has been mined and/or cut by Peter. Peter had many years of professional mining experience at Mintabie Opal Fields where he discovered many pockets of opal. These pockets contained black opal, crystal opal and semi black opal. This was followed by several years of mining boulder opal in the area North West of Quilpie in Queensland.

We also stock opal from other famous Australian opal fields including Lightning Ridge, famous for its black opal, Andamooka, well known for its crystal opal, and Coober Pedy, known for its magnificent light opal.

Apart from opal jewelry, we have many hand crafted collectibles. These collectible pieces are crafted from large specimens of Boulder Opal and include unique carvings of koalas, elephants, snakes, lizards and other interesting pieces. You will also find a wide range of opal beads, opal watches and opal pens.

In addition to the famous Australian Opal, we also have a large range of other gemstones, gemstone jewelry, crystals, and collectibles.

As Peter is cutting opal on a regular basis, the range of cut opals is constantly changing. Every now and then he comes across a wonderful gem opal. This may be from Mintabie, Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka or perhaps a remote boulder opal mine in the deserts of Queensland. This gem is then set in a beautiful gold or silver hand crafted setting and offered for sale.

During his extensive experience in the opal mining industry, Peter has established an extensive network of friends and business associates in the gemstone and crystal industries. These contacts and friends extend to all parts of the globe and Peter is always acquiring new and exciting items to offer our customers.

We are the major opal and opal jewelry source in Canberra and as Canberra is the location of most of the diplomatic embassies in Australia, we have built our reputation and business from this diverse market and is experienced with supplying a world wide clientele.

Because we have customers in all four corners of the globe it has embarked on this website project to offer both old and new customers the very best in opal jewelry, loose opal and collectables.

If you can't find it on our website contact Peter with your requirements and he will endeavor to find it for you.